Ultralight Fishing Questions 2024
Wammiee reply :
I fish locally mostly. (Catonsville, MD) which consists of mostly Patapsaco River & Dams. With a lack of choices I am more interested in quantity of fish and the fight using light gear than using heavier gear and getting less fish. Therefore I will be fishing for gills,crappie,trout and occasional bass. I have several questions I could use to be answered but my main thing is I want a light setup that has real good casting distance with some accuracy, and also take note that I will be fishing alot of river/dam locations as apposed to open lakes, reservoirs.
1. Ultralight vs Light? What are the subtle differences?
2. Rod Size 6' or 6'6? 6' is considered well balanced for accuracy casting.
3. Does line size affect casting distance? Best line size 4 6 or 8lb mono?
4. Best 1/32 oz 1/16 oz. lures for both panfish/bass?
5. Best techniques to use?
Pantera61 reply :
First question, what is your price range? You can get a good Falcon or Fenwick rod for less than $100 or $500.00 for a excellent Megabass rod. You can get a Daiwa SS700 ultralight spinning reel for less than $100 or $700 for an outstanding Daiwa Steez.
Wammiee reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 12:36 AM, Pantera61 said:First question, what is your price range? You can get a good Falcon or Fenwick rod for less than $100 or $500.00 for a excellent Megabass rod. You can get a Daiwa SS700 ultralight spinning reel for less than $100 or $700 for an outstanding Daiwa Steez.
$300.00-$400.00 Total
CWilliams reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 2:18 AM, Wammiee said:$300.00-$400.00 Total
I had a custom rod made for that purpose using 6'6 lite power/fast action st croix SCIII blank. Purchased 5+ years ago for $150. I have mine paired with a Stradic 1000FH. If I were to buy the reel today I would go with the CI4 in the same size.
There are board sponsors that could build you a great rod in your price range.
grimlin reply :
I just picked up an ultra light myself. Got an 5' for crappie,blugill and walleye.Matter of fact i caught an 18" walleye on it yesterday.I got 6 pound test line on it.I picked it up at Walmart for $29.95...LOL. I have to tell you that little Cheap Cirrus rod and reel feels pretty smooth and had no problems handling that walleye.
Bassn Blvd reply :
read this post
Wammiee reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 3:30 AM, Bassn Blvd said:read this post
I cant find the IMX spinning on BPS in 6'6 UL. Theres 6'6 Light and 6' UL. Also, how was the casting distance for you?
Bassn Blvd reply :
The rod is a 6'6 light G-Loomis IMX SR782. The reel is a Shimano Sahara 750FB
SR782-1 (IMX) 6'6" 4-8 1/16-5/16 Fast Light $245.00
I have one spool with #6 mono and the other spool with #4 mono. The rod is rated up to #8 mono but, IMO, #8 is too big for this rod and definitely too big for the reel.
The bass in the video were caught on #4. The rod has plenty of backbone but is light enough to have fun with light tackle/panfish, such as bream and speck.
I throw beetle spins, small spinner baits, small rattle traps and 3" rapalas with the combo. The rod will cast effortlessly long distances using the above mentioned tackle with #4 and #6 mono.
I suggest splicing a foot long piece of #6 mono to the #4 mono when throwing the spinner bait , rattle trap and rapala. The bigger bass have a tendency to fray through #4 mono.
The combo will cost you right at or just under $300 new.
Go to the G-Loomis website and look under trout/panfish to find the rod.
Senkoman12 reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 2:44 AM, grimlin said:I just picked up an ultra light myself. Got an 5' for crappie,blugill and walleye.Matter of fact i caught an 18" walleye on it yesterday.I got 6 pound test line on it.I picked it up at Walmart for $29.95...LOL. I have to tell you that little Cheap Cirrus rod and reel feels pretty smooth and had no problems handling that walleye.
them cirruses are one tough rod. i got mine for $25. for trout and crappie its great
bilgerat reply :
6' 6" is the smallest ul rod I would get. Trying to throw small stuff on short ul rods can be frustrating. Look at the Fenwick Elite Tech River Runner line of ultralight and light rods 
I use braid on my ul rig. Even the best mono will eventually let you down. It's the nature of the beast with small spinning reels. I use 4 lb diameter braid with a mono leader. Stick with the line ratings on the rod.
Pretty much any bait is available in ul sizes these days. 1/8 oz crankbaits, tiny poppers, plastics, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and trailers.....you name it. Strike King makes good cranks and jigs.
Use any technique the situation calls for.
Bassn Blvd reply :
Using braid is not considered ultralite, IMO. Using 2 and 4 pound mono is.
bilgerat reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 9:13 AM, Bassn Blvd said:Using braid is not considered ultralite, IMO. Using 2 and 4 pound mono is.
Yeah, I've heard that before and for years I stuck to it but trouble free line appeals to me more. Believe me I tried it all from using KVD to letting all of the line out and reeling it back in. It is what it is... 
MickD reply :
I agree longer is better. I made a super nice ultra light out of a 3 weight 7 1/2 foot fly blank, and it really works well, even on the occasional big fish as long as it's in open water.
Longer rods cast longer distances with ease, and helps in setting the hook. Setting the hook on this outfit is simply not as issue.
I use a Shimano size 50 reel with 8# braid. Line weight will definitely affect casting, with 4 pound mono about as heavy as I would go with a small reel. I consider ultra light to be a technique, not a line # test, and 8 # braid is a great line for this technique.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 7:59 PM, MickD said:I agree longer is better. I made a super nice ultra light out of a 3 weight 7 1/2 foot fly blank, and it really works well, even on the occasional big fish as long as it's in open water.
Longer rods cast longer distances with ease, and helps in setting the hook. Setting the hook on this outfit is simply not as issue.
I use a Shimano size 50 reel with 8# braid. Line weight will definitely affect casting, with 4 pound mono about as heavy as I would go with a small reel. I consider ultra light to be a technique, not a line # test, and 8 # braid is a great line for this technique.
The tip section of a two-piece fly rod blank can also make a nice ultra-light rod.
tholmes reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 7:59 PM, MickD said:I agree longer is better.
Except if you're fishing from shore (or from a boat, for that matter) and there are overhanging trees or other obstacles. Then longer is a pain in the butt.
I mostly use 6'6" BPS Micro-Lite for open areas, but I have a little 5' UL for tight quarters.
Tom
Raul reply :
The SJR782 is not a light rod, it´s a medium power, for light power you need a 1 rating: SJR781S. Pair it to a nice 1000 size reel for 4-6 lb test and you have a terrific combo for panfish, small trout and no problem with small to medium sized bass.
Bassn Blvd reply :
On 4/5/2011 at 2:02 AM, Raul said:The SJR782 is not a light rod, it´s a medium power, for light power you need a 1 rating: SJR781S. Pair it to a nice 1000 size reel for 4-6 lb test and you have a terrific combo for panfish, small trout and no problem with small to medium sized bass.
Really? You might want to let Loomis know that. Apparently they missmarked their rods because mine is rated light.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 9:13 AM, Bassn Blvd said:Using braid is not considered ultralite, IMO. Using 2 and 4 pound mono is.
PowerPro now in 3# & 4# Microline
http://www.powerpro.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/power_pro_v2/products/0.html
Alpster reply :
On 4/5/2011 at 4:11 AM, Bassn Blvd said:Really? You might want to let Loomis know that. Apparently they missmarked their rods because mine is rated light.
This is from G-Loomis' website.
SJR782 (IMX) 6'6" 1pc 6-12lb 1/8-3/8oz Fast Medium
BTW, I have this rod. Built it myself, it is not light.
I have a 4wt 1 piece Lamiglas flyrod that I built as a spinning rod for ultralight fishing. It is wonderful.
Ronnie
Raul reply :
On 4/5/2011 at 4:11 AM, Bassn Blvd said:Really? You might want to let Loomis know that. Apparently they missmarked their rods because mine is rated light.
Like Alpster, I do have that rod, it´s medium power, just a little bit less powerful than the comparable trigger model ( MBR782 ) but still medium power.
Bassn Blvd reply :
Ok, I see where we got confused. I said the SR782, which is rated light, not the SJR782.
Look here
http://www.gloomis.c...___panfish.html
Not under the Classic. Pay attention or go sit in the corner 
:D
Raul reply :
On 4/6/2011 at 12:27 AM, Bassn Blvd said:Ok, I see where we got confused. I said the SR782, which is rated light, not the SJR782.
Look here
http://www.gloomis.c...___panfish.html
Not under the Classic. Pay attention or go sit in the corner
:D
Mystery solved.
WdyCrankbait reply :
I would suggest getting researching the reels more. For UL fishing you need a great smooth drag system. One person talked about getting a custom St. Croix and Shimano Stradic C4 combo, that must be a great set up. Also, I suggest copoly line instead of mono. Good luck!
Ern reply :
What I think you are asking is would you need more power in the rod when it may be a matter of action also. For small trout and panfish a slow or moderate UL is GREAT. I have a 5' that is a rated as such and is great for these little guys. They have a soft mouth and the flex of the rod keeps them on. A bass on the other hand is a different animal as are large trout. Tougher mouths need harder hook sets to drive steel home. I'd look at a good fast action in a light power, a good reel with smooth drag and some light braid. My personal rod for this is a Shimano Symetre 1000FJ, 6' Clarus Light power, and Powerpro 8/1.
trevor reply :
On 4/5/2011 at 11:05 AM, QUAKEnSHAKE said:PowerPro now in 3# & 4# Microline
http://www.powerpro.com/publish/content/global_fish/en/us/power_pro_v2/products/0.html
Have fun with the windknots. 
northern basser reply :
IMO I would stay away from a true ultralite setup. A better choice is a 6'6" light fast action w/ a 1000 size shimano reel(using shimano's sizing, not that you have to get a shimano). An ultralite rod can be too noodly sometimes and a 500 size reel doesn't hold much line, has a slower gear ratio, and you can develope line twist easier especially if you fish in current.
Wammiee reply :
On 4/8/2011 at 9:27 PM, northern basser said:IMO I would stay away from a true ultralite setup. A better choice is a 6'6" light fast action w/ a 1000 size shimano reel(using shimano's sizing, not that you have to get a shimano). An ultralite rod can be too noodly sometimes and a 500 size reel doesn't hold much line, has a slower gear ratio, and you can develope line twist easier especially if you fish in current.
Do you think I would lose alot of casting distance if I make it a 6' Light matched with a 1000 size shimano. 6 lb line
philsoreel reply :
On 4/4/2011 at 6:04 AM, Bassn Blvd said:The rod is a 6'6 light G-Loomis IMX SR782. The reel is a Shimano Sahara 750FB
SR782-1 (IMX) 6'6" 4-8 1/16-5/16 Fast Light $245.00
I have one spool with #6 mono and the other spool with #4 mono. The rod is rated up to #8 mono but, IMO, #8 is too big for this rod and definitely too big for the reel.
The bass in the video were caught on #4. The rod has plenty of backbone but is light enough to have fun with light tackle/panfish, such as bream and speck.
I throw beetle spins, small spinner baits, small rattle traps and 3" rapalas with the combo. The rod will cast effortlessly long distances using the above mentioned tackle with #4 and #6 mono.
I suggest splicing a foot long piece of #6 mono to the #4 mono when throwing the spinner bait , rattle trap and rapala. The bigger bass have a tendency to fray through #4 mono.
The combo will cost you right at or just under $300 new.
Go to the G-Loomis website and look under trout/panfish to find the rod.
This will be a very, very nice set-up. However, once you add a rod of this quality to your collection there's no going back. Nothing less will suffice.
northern basser reply :
On 4/9/2011 at 3:34 AM, Wammiee said:Do you think I would lose alot of casting distance if I make it a 6' Light matched with a 1000 size shimano. 6 lb line
There won't be that much difference. Nothing wrong w/ a 6' rod, especially if the bank your fishing from has brush or trees that would get in the way of your cast.
Bankbeater reply :
I use a 6'-0" rod with 6 lb mono. I like the heavier line just in case I catch a good size fish.
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